The Coalminers
“"From time to time I stumble on a band that totally blows me away...The sound they have put down is perfect"”
Craig Charles - BBC Radio 2
With their dedication to what they like to refer to as “Swamp Soul” this brilliant 6 piece Americana band, with their unique mixture of New Orleans Groove and Funk, bring the rhythm and soul of the deep south (that's Louisiana, not Brighton...) alive. As well as a Jazz/Groove/Blues rhythm section second to none the band also features not one but two fantastic singers in Paddy Milner and Sumudu. Award winning singer/pianist Paddy Milner, recipient of the 'Best Keyboard Player' title at the 2015 British Blues Awards, can be heard regularly with Tom Jones and the wonderful Sumudu includes work with the likes of Rod Stewart, Jamie Cullum and most recently the iconic singer/songwriter Van Morrison. And as well as all of that they are both also highly respected band leaders and recording artists in their own right. And the rest of the band is equally as impressive. Drummer Pat Levett includes work with Ian Shaw, The Puppini Sisters and the Ronnie Scott's All Stars, saxophonist Ben Somers has worked with Dr John, Seal and Taylor Swift, guitarist Rob Updegraff has recently been performing and recording with Sony artist Alani and can be heard on Jamie Cullum’s latest album alongside Gregory Porter and Laura Mvula, and bass player Spencer Brown has performed with the likes of Andy Sheppard, Alan Barnes, Rebecca Ferguson and indie star Carl Barat. If their last gig here is anything to go by this highly impressive line-up are guaranteed to raise the roof. Highly recommended.
"Paddy Milner...the best blues piano player in Europe…” Blues Access, USA; "Sumudu...is quite simply an outstanding talent....a voice like honey" BBC